Double Impatiens plant named `Golden Sunrise`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plant named `Golden Sunrise`, characterized by its unique and stable light yellow and green variegated foliage; large orange flowers; consistently double and symmetrical flower form; numerous flowers per plant; freely branching, dense and bushy plant habit; low-growing, outwardly spreading to cascading, and mounted plant habit; suitable for hanging baskets and patio containers; and excellent landscape performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of DoubleImpatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens walleriana, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Golden Sunrise.

The new cultivar is a spontaneous branch mutation of the Impatienswalleriana cultivar Golden Girl (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No.08/963,515, filed concurrently). The new cultivar was discovered andselected by the inventor in a controlled environment in Devon Meadows,Victoria, Australia in 1992, as a mutation of the dark pink-floweredcultivar Golden Girl. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar byterminal cuttings taken at devon Meadows, Victoria, Australia, has shownthat the unique features of this new Double Impatiens are stable andreproduced true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Golden Sunrise`. These characteristicsin combination distinguish the new Double Impatiens as a new anddistinct cultivar:

1. Unique and stable light yellow and green variegated foliage.

2. Large orange flowers.

3. Consistently double and symmetrical flower form.

4. Numerous flowers per plant.

5. Freely branching, dense and bushy plant habit.

6. Low-growing, outwardly spreading to cascading, and mounded planthabit, suitable for hanging baskets and patio containers.

7. Excellent landscape performance.

The new Double Impatiens has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature and light level, without,however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceand flower color of the new Double Impatiens, showing the colors as trueas it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of thistype.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a top perspective viewof a typical plant of the new Double Impatiens.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view oftypical leaves and flowers of the new Double Impatiens. Flower andfoliage colors in the photographs may appear different from the actualcolors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisionsdescribe plants grown under outdoor production conditions in 16.5-cmcontainers in Keller, Tex., in full and partial shade during the summer.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Impatiens walleriana cultivar Golden Sunrise.

Parentage: Spontaneous branch mutation of Impatiens walleriana cultivarGolden Girl.

Propagation:

Type cutting.--Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--Summer: About 7 days at a temperature of 15° C.Winter: About 14 days at a temperature of 10° C.

Rooting habit.--Numerous, strong, fine, and freely-branching.

Plant description:

Form.--Low-growing, outwardly spreading to cascading, and mounded planthabit. Freely branching, dense and bushy growth. Large flowers that faceupright or outward.

Usage.--Suitale for 10 to 25-cm containers; recommended for hangingbaskets and patio containers; excellent garden performance.

Vigor.--Moderate and moderate growth rate.

Plant height.--About 12 cm.

Plant spread.--About 45 cm.

Branching habit.--Freely branching with numerous lateral branches,branches very strong and flexible.

Lateral branches.--Length: About 18 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm. Internodelength: About 1.9 cm. Color: Translucent, light green, close to 147C,with red-purple, 59A, spots that are most prevalent at nodes.

Foliage description.--Leaves simple, generally symmetrical, abundant,alternate, and flat in aspect. Length: About 4.5 cm. Width: About 3 cm.Shape: Ovate with acuminate apex, cuneate base and crenate margin.Texture: Smooth. Color: Light yellow and green variegated leaves; greenat center with light yellow at margins. Actual shape and size of yellowand green areas is variable. Young leaves, upper surface: Yellow areas:11A. Green areas: Close to 146A and light green, 144A. Young leaves,lower surface: Yellow Areas: 11A/11B. Green areas: Closest to 146B withred (dulled 178A) spots/blotches. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface:Yellow areas: 10A/10B/10C/11A/11B/11C. Green areas; Close to 147B andlighter green, 146C, areas. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Yellowareas: 10A/10B/10C/11B/11C/11D. Green areas: Close to 147B with red(dulled 178A) spots/blotches. Venation, upper surface: Similar to leafsurface color, iridescent. Venation, lower surface: 146B. Petiole:Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm. Color: Very light green towhite.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Large orange flowers. Consistently double andsymmetrical flowers. Freely and continuously flowering. Flower buds opensimilar to a rose in fullness. Flowers arise from leaf axils, terminalbud opening first. Usually three or four flowers per lateral branch.Flowers face upright or outward. Flowers self-cleaning.

Time to flower.--Flowering generally commences four to six weeks afterplanting.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions. In thegarden, flowering is continuous from spring until fall.

Flower diameter.--About 4 cm.

Flower depth (height).--About 1.75 cm.

Flower buds.--Length: About 1.4 cm. Diameter: About 8 mm. Shape: Ovoid.Color: 39A/39B.

Petals/petaloids.--Quantity: Numerous, typically more than 15. Length:About 2 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm. Shape: Obovate with rounded or cordateapex, cuneate base and entire margin. Texture: Satiny, smooth. Color:When opening, upper surface: Iridescent, 40A, with purple, close to 57A,spot at base. When opening, lower surface: Iridescent, 41B. Mature,upper surface: Iridescent, 40A/40B, with purple, close to 57A, spot atbase. Mature, lower surface: Iridescent, 41D. Fading to: 40C.

Spur.--Length: About 2.5 cm. Shape: Narrow and curved. Color: Initiallylight green becoming yellow-green, close to 144A.

Peduncles.--Length: About 2 cm. Angle: Upright to outwardly arching.Strength: Moderate, flexible. Color: Glossy, translucent, light green.

Reproductive organs.--None observed. Under optimal flowering conditions,reproductive organs are not observed as these structures develop intosterile petaloids. Without the development of functional reproductiveorgans, pollination and subsequent seed production are not observed.

Disease resistance: Under commercial conditions, resistance to pathogenshas not been observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Double Impatiens plant named`Golden Sunrise`, as illustrated and described.